*This post will no longer be updated to reflect current COVID cases. There are no COVID-19 restrictions in Costa Rica at all anymore. In case something does change, we will update this post but as of 2023, there have not been any restrictions.*
Costa Rica COVID Travel Restrictions and Border Opening
Costa Rica closed their borders beginning of March 2020.
On November 1, 2020, Costa Rica opened their borders to all countries in the world via air. On April 5, 2021, Costa Rica opened the land borders between Nicaragua and Panama.
Costa Rica Entry Requirements (COVID-19)
**As of April 1, 2022, all previous COVID entry requirements have been removed.** Costa Rica does not require quarantine, a health pass, travel insurance, QR code or a negative COVID-19 test to enter. There are no COVID-19 sanitary requirements to enter Costa Rica. Entering Costa Rica is exactly how it used to be before the pandemic.
Traveling around Costa Rica is nearly exactly how it used to be before COVID. There are nearly zero restrictions.
Do I have to be vaccinated to go to Costa Rica?
No. You do not have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for Costa Rica. Costa Rica is not requiring tourists to be vaccinated against COVID. Fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated and unvaccinated people can enter Costa Rica. You don’t need to have any booster shots to enter Costa Rica.
Costa Rica will not ask you for any COVID-19 vaccination information when you enter the country.
Costa Rica COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Tourists Need to Know About
There are no restrictions – no driving restrictions, no curfew, etc. Costa Rican establishments do not require any proof of vaccination to enter.
Please check our post Costa Rica COVID to see details.
Do I Need to Wear a Mask in Costa Rica?
As of May 11, 2022, face masks in public spaces, open spaces and indoors have no longer been mandatory in Costa Rica except for health officials. However, individual establishments may still require them for their guests and people can still wear them if they wish.
Likewise, the face mask mandate may be reinstated at any point, particularly indoors and public transportation settings, so please be aware of this and bring at least one mask with you still.
Where to Get a COVID test in Costa Rica
In case you need to get a COVID test in Costa Rica whether you are feeling sick or if you need one to re-enter your home country, nearly all labs, clinics and hospitals can administer COVID tests.
Please check your home country requirements to see what they require for re-entry. **The United States has removed its COVID test requirement on June 12, 2022. That means that air travelers entering the United States from abroad will no longer need to produce a 24 hour negative COVID test result.***
COVID tests in Costa Rica are done via a nasal swab.
Cost and Turnaround Time
The cost of a COVID test in Costa Rica varies between $55-300 USD per test. Antigen tests have an average of 1-8 hour turnaround time and are cheaper ~$50 USD. A PCR test is around $150 USD with a turnaround time of around 24-72 hours. Some labs may offer same day PCR tests for ~$300 and at home tests are now available. Results will be emailed in English or Spanish.
What Happens If You Test Positive for COVID in Costa Rica?
First, if you are feeling sick or believe you have COVID-19, isolate yourself and go to a clinic or lab to get tested.
If you need hospitalization, Costa Rica will not refuse anyone who requires COVID-19 hospital care regardless of their immigration and vaccination status.
Then if you are taking the test to re-enter your home country, airlines will not let you board with a positive test result. If your home country requires a negative test and you test positive, you will have to quarantine a given amount of days (usually 5- 14), which is determined by the doctor who attended you and the severity of the disease. You will have to comply with the entire duration of your stay at home order – even if you test negative during that period of time.
Tourists won’t be penalized if they overstay their tourist visa due to a stay at home quarantine order.
This is one of the reasons why we highly tourists to purchase a travel insurance, even though it is not mandatory. Many travel insurances will now cover COVID costs and it is especially important now since travel is still very messy with lots of flight delays and cancellations. Check our post for travel insurance recommendations for Costa Rica here.
What Is Open in Costa Rica Right Now During COVID-19?
Everything. It is exactly how it used to be pre-COVID. There are no restrictions at all.
Planning Your Trip to Costa Rica? Here Are Some Helpful Resources
Costa Rica destinations guide (Best places to visit)
Mytanfeet Costa Rica destination map
How to avoid crowds in Costa Rica
Disclaimer: Costa Rica border openings, travel restrictions and entry requirements are ever changing. We do our best to update this post with the latest information as much as possible. Please remember that the decision to travel is up to you and it is your responsibility to stay safe. Make sure to check the recommendations of your country when it comes to international travel.
Rod says
I’ve heard that as of October 26, visitors arriving to Costa Rica will no longer need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Is that true?
Sammi says
Correct
Michael says
How does one contact the insurance co’s for a quote? Health Ins.
Sammi says
You can check their websites (links in the article) for INS and Sagicor for a quote.
Amanda says
Hi there, Can you please clarify if you need to have the PCR test occur and result confirmed negative with 72 hours of arriving, or if it’s just the results themselves that need to be received within 72 hours. I own a property in coco and would like to go down to check on it, but I’m from Canada and our test results are taking a long time to be returned. If it’s the case of getting the test done and receiving results within 4 days of travel, this is pretty tough. Currently we don’t have easy access to rapid tests, and so this puts a real wrench in achieving this travel requirement Any clarification would help.
Sammi says
You need to have a negative PCR COVID-19 test result to enter Costa Rica, the test has to be taken within 72 hours of the departure flight. The airline will ask to see your negative test result when you check in and board and the CR immigration will also require to see your negative result to enter the country.
Joe says
Thanks for all the information regarding entry to country. Is there any testing required prior to return flight to the US?
Sammi says
I don’t believe the US requires any testing, you will need to check the state you are going to to be sure.
Abraham Gonzalez says
Do kids (<12 years) need a Covid test?
Sammi says
As of Oct 26, COVID tests will not be required to enter Costa Rica.
SUSAN S NEWTON says
Hi. About how much does the required insurance cost? Just trying to get a budget in mind. Also, do you have to have insurance if your are retiring to C.R. ?
Thanks,
Susan
Sammi says
You will need to contact the insurance companies for a quote since it depends on length of stay, age, country of residence, etc.
Every tourist needs to have insurance.
Dominic Di Lello says
Know where i can get an epidemiology form not sure if a spelled it right?
Dominic
Kelly S Sheick says
Hi, We are visiting the house we own in Ocotal. Any advice for us? We want to visit Diamonte and see seat= turtle hatchings. any and all advice would be appreciated.
Laura says
Does a person have to buy international health insurance from one of the two companies you listed, or any insurance as long as the amounts stated are covered?
Sammi says
Either one, you can purchase your own international or from the CR companies as long as it fulfills all the requirements.
John Penhall says
Are the Caribbean south beaches really only open from 5am to 10am or is it 5am to 10pm?
Sammi says
It is 5 AM to 10 AM (Cahuita and Manzanillo 8 AM to 10 AM), Limon had a surge of cases and the municipality decided to restrict beach hours. Before, beaches all throughout Costa Rica were only open 5 AM to 8 AM back in May/Juneish.
James says
Above it says 10 PM.
Sammi says
Correct, those hours were only until Sept 29th and were decided individually by the municipality. The government now announced new beach hours starting Oct 15th which will be at 10 PM.